Foldable Display Device With Ratchet Mechanisms

ABSTRACT

A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes ratchet mechanisms is disclosed. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also have the size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The ratchet mechanisms are utilized to ease the folding action of the device and can also be used to stabilize the folded angle of the device&#39;s display segments relative to each other. The device may further include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any folded state.

One of the great difficulties in using a small-scale touch screen device, however, is in the fact that it can often be cumbersome to physically interact with. This is especially apparent when selecting and manipulating features and inputting text, which can sometimes be imprecise for a user. In such handheld computing devices as a touch screen mobile phone, the limited size of the display can also significantly reduce the viewing capacity while watching videos, using graphic-intensive applications, and reading text. The rigid nature of a standard touch screen display can also limit the portability of a device when its form factor is in the larger size range for a phone, or at the scale of a tablet, which makes folding a desirable feature. Additionally, because a foldable device fundamentally has a hinge mechanism built in that requires constant force input to open and close the device, this mechanical energy could be translated and utilized for other mechanical and hardware functions.

There is therefore a need for touch screen display devices that can be adjusted in size without sacrificing the convenience of being compact or handheld. There is also a need for ratchet mechanisms to ease the folding action of a foldable device where the compressive strength is high and the device is more difficult to fold such as in the case of a display that is being folded where the back sides of its segments are facing each other in the folded state. As flexible glass becomes more viable along with other materials that can protect a flexible display while also having the ability to fold, the compressive strength may be higher than present materials that are being used today which can scratch more easily. Having the ability to stabilize the angle of a foldable device using ratchets is also desirable to optimize viewing by the user along with other applications where a fixed angle of the display segments relative to each other is desired.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded state which also includes ratchet mechanisms. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also have the size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The ratchet mechanisms are utilized to ease the folding action of the device and can also be used to stabilize the folded angle of the device's display segments relative to each other. The device may further include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all processing and memory, along with a communications system, which may be used in any folded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in section for a foldable computing device that is illustrated in three separate positions; the first position shows the two display segments in an open state, the second position shows the two display segments being closed, and the third position shows the device in a fully folded closed state.

FIG. 2 is a detailed side view of the hinge section for the foldable computing device from FIG. 1, which is shown in two separate positions; the first position shows the two display segments being closed about the hinge to a folded state with the ratchet mechanisms being locked with pawls, while the second position shows the two display segments being opened about the hinge to an expanded state with the pawls released from the ratchets.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a foldable device with ratchet mechanisms integrated at each end of the device's hinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a foldable computing device 11 having two display segments 17 and 19 that fold about hinge 18, are shown in three separate positions 51, 52, and 53. The first position 51 shows the flexible display 39 with its two flexible display segments 17 and 19 in an open state with hinge 18 situated between segments 17 and 19. A ratchet gear 33 is also connected to display segment 17 which is synched through spur gear 31 to an adjacent spur gear and ratchet gear mechanism assembly connected to the opposite display segment 19. The ratchet gear 33 is able to lock the connected display segment 17 in place with a pawl 35 while an additional pawl is used to lock the synched and adjacent ratchet assembly connected to display segment 19. The second position 52 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being closed about hinge 18 to a folded state with its ratchet gear 33 and pawl 31 engaged in such a way to prevent the device from springing back to an open state. Similar to position 51, the ratchet gear 33 is also synched through spur gear 31 to an adjacent spur gear and ratchet gear mechanism assembly connected to the opposite display segment 19. Ratchet gear 33 is shown being locked with pawl 35 as ratchet gear 33 rotates in conjunction with both display segment 17 and display segment 19 such that they are shown at an acute angle to each other. The two synched ratchet assemblies ultimately are held in position when each pawl engages with the ratchet gear tooth that relates to the angle the device is positioned in.

The ratchet mechanism plays an important role in easing the folding action of the device, especially in the instance where there is high compressive force from the flexible display backing or cover. As flexible glass material becomes more viable and strong enough to prevent scratches on its surface, greater compressive force may be present as compared with current materials used to protect the flexible displays implemented with foldable devices today. Having a flexible sheet of metal to provide a backing for a flexible display can also lead to greater inherent compressive force, which ultimately can make the device harder to fold as it will tend to spring back open. Having a ratchet mechanism, as it is disclosed in this patent, can prevent the device from springing back to an unfolded state and also allow it to be locked at an angle when there is an inherent compressive force present within the device assembly. This can more commonly occur with devices that fold in such a way that their back sides fold against each other as the device is folded to a compact state.

The third position 53 from FIG. 1 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being closed about hinge 18 to a folded state with pawl 35 and its mirrored pawl released from their respective ratchets which includes ratchet gear 33 and its mirrored adjacent ratchet. The pawl may also have a continuous force applied to it through a spring component such that it is constantly applying a force against the ratchet gear tooth that it is engaging with. The spring component may also be a compression spring or an extension spring. It is also important to note that while the embodiments show a single flexible display with two display segments, a rigid cover display may also be included with the device, and two rigid tiled display segments may also be integrated instead of having a flexible display.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a foldable computing device 11 having two display segments 17 and 19 that fold about hinge 18, are shown in two separate positions 53 and 51 which correspond with FIG. 1 but from a side view. The first position 53 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being closed about hinge 18 to a folded state with its ratchet gear 33, which is also synched through spur gear 31 to an adjacent spur gear and ratchet gear mechanism assembly connected to the opposite display segment 19, where ratchet gear 33 is being locked with pawl 35 and an additional pawl is used to lock the synched and adjacent ratchet assembly connected to display segment 17. The second position 51 from FIG. 2 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being opened about hinge 18 to an expanded state with pawl 35 and its mirrored pawl released from their respective ratchets through release mechanism 37, which includes ratchet gear 33 and its mirrored adjacent ratchet. The pawls in these embodiments are shown attached to the sleeve structure of hinge 18, but they could also be attached at other points within foldable computing device 11. The pawls and the gear teeth that are shown in FIG. 2 may also be configured to engage in the opposite direction that they are shown in. This may be advantageous if locking was desired for opening or closing the device where a first ratchet gear could be configured to lock the device in one direction while a second synched ratchet gear could be configured to lock the device in the opposite direction. A release mechanism in this case would have to be utilized to release the pawl related to one rotational direction, and then the same release mechanism or a second one would have to be utilized to release a second pawl for the opposite rotational direction.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foldable device 11 with ratchet gear 33 and its respective spur gear 31 which highlights how a ratchet assembly can be integrated at each end of the device's hinge to provide uniform stability throughout the device. The hinge connecting structure 30 is shown stretched across the device from one end where one set of ratchet mechanisms sits to the other where a second set of ratchet mechanisms sit. Compressive force 55 shows the inherent force that can counter the locking force of the ratchet mechanism and the manual force 57 applied to it by a user to fold the device to a compact folded state. It is important to note that flexible display 39 which is integrated on the top side of foldable device 11 such that it can be closed shut like a book where both display segments 17 and 19 fold against each other, may also be integrated on the opposite side of the device (or the underside of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3) with the same folding mechanics such that the flexible display segments are facing outward opposite of each other when the device is in a folded state. It is also important to note that while the embodiments show a single flexible display with two display segments, a rigid cover display may also be included with the device, and two rigid tiled display segments may also be integrated instead of having a flexible display. The device may also have different display aspect ratios such that it takes on the flip phone form factor.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fail within the true spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein: (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural support segment; (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural support segment; (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially expanded state; (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state; (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least one flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet gear and a pawl.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first structural support segment and the second structural support segment are connected by a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes a spring.
 7. An apparatus comprising: (a) a rigid touch-sensitive display; (b) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein: (1) the first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural support segment; (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural support segment; (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially expanded state; (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded state; (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least one flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet gear and a pawl.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first structural support segment and the second structural support segment are connected by a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure.
 11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes a spring.
 13. An apparatus comprising: (a) a first touch-sensitive display and a second touch-sensitive display; wherein: (1) the first touch-sensitive display is attached to a first structural support segment; (2) the second touch-sensitive display is attached to a second structural support segment; (3) the touch-sensitive displays further comprise having a fully folded state; (4) the touch-sensitive displays further comprise having a partially expanded state; (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least one touch-sensitive display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet gear and a pawl.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first structural support segment and the second structural support segment are connected by a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge.
 16. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure.
 17. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment; and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve structure.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes a spring. 